Practice Workflow Senior Manager

Department: Operations

Location: Belfast

Description

We’re looking for a driven and hands-on operational leader to take our Tax practice to the next level.

As a Practice Workflow Senior Manager, you’ll be at the head of the day-to-day operation-orchestrating workflow, driving efficiency, and ensuring the team performs at its best. Acting as the key operational lead below Partner level, you’ll translate strategic direction into seamless execution, making sure plans turn into results.

This is a pivotal role designed to free up Partner capacity, strengthen team performance, and create a high-functioning, well-organised practice. You’ll bring structure, clarity, and accountability to everything from workflow management and resource planning to client onboarding and WIP/billing discipline. You’ll also play a central role in embedding Sumer NI’s values and culture into everyday practice, helping shape a collaborative, high-performing environment.

You’ll own and elevate the client services administration function across the Tax team – ensuring a professional, consistent and efficient experience for both clients and colleagues.

If you thrive on bringing order to complexity, enjoy improving processes, and want to make a visible impact in a growing, ambitious firm, this is an opportunity to truly make the role your own.

Key Responsibilities

Workflow, Capacity & Operations Leadership

• Own the end-to-end workflow for the Tax team: capacity planning, work allocation, progress monitoring and deadline management.
• Run weekly/monthly operational routines (workflow meetings, schedule reviews, billing cycles).
• Maintain visibility of deadlines, client commitments and resource bottlenecks; escalate risks early.
• Create structure, predictability and improved turnaround times across the team.
• Provide Partners with regular insights and reporting on workflow health and operational risks.
  

Team Leadership & Culture

• Line management duties, ensuring clarity, development, productivity and performance.
• Support improvement of team culture; embed Sumer NI’s values and expected behaviours.
• Lead by example: clear communication, accountability, high standards and consistent follow-through.
  

Performance, Training & Team Development

• Coordinate the entire appraisal cycle: scheduling, documentation, tracking completion and nudging where needed.
• Build and maintain a training plan for all sub-teams and grades; oversee delivery and attendance.
• Set up and track coaching sessions (technical and behavioural) to support capability building.
• Support Partners and Managers with performance insights and follow-up actions.
  

Client Service Administration & Onboarding Compliance


Own and improve the full client onboarding workflow for the Tax team, including:

• AML checks
• Conflict of Interest reviews
• Letters of Engagement (issue, renewal, tracking)
• Ensuring all onboarding steps are completed before work commences.
• Implement best practice admin processes to support high-quality client experience.

WIP, Billing & Revenue Recognition Discipline

• Ensure rigorous WIP management and monthly billing compliance in line with Sumer NI’s Revenue Recognition Policy.
• Drive WIP hygiene: ensure timeliness, accurate staging, and removal of aged items.
• Coordinate billing readiness each month and ensure the team delivers on billable commitments.
• Provide Partners with clear reporting: billing pipeline, aged WIP, exceptions and required actions.

Practice Improvement & Change Management

• Act as a champion for change within the Tax team, promoting adoption of new systems, processes and workflows.
• Support implementation of new IT tools, ensuring training, documentation and user adoption.

Identify inefficiencies and recommend practical, commercial solutions to improve team operations.

Ensure consistent standards across the practice.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Operational, workflow or practice management experience within professional services (accountancy, legal, consulting, financial services or similar).
• Strong experience running day-to-day team operations, workflow, capacity planning and people routines.
• Demonstrated success working with senior leaders in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience leading or supervising admin or operational staff.
• Experience improving processes and implementing change.

Desirable

• Knowledge of AML or client onboarding in a regulated environment.
• Understanding of WIP, billing and revenue processes.
• Experience in an accountancy/tax practice is helpful but not required.

Skills & Behaviours

• Commercial mindset with understanding of how operations impact revenue and client service.
• Strong personality: resilient, confident and able to push back appropriately.
• Hands-on and detail-oriented: enjoys operational ownership and follow-through.
• Excellent organisation and communication skills.
• Natural leader who drives accountability and consistency.
• Calm under pressure; pragmatic problem solver.
• Champion of continuous improvement.
  
  

Belong @ Sumer

At Sumer, we know everyone’s journey is different. That’s why we’re committed to fairness, removing barriers, and giving people the support they need to do their best work. If you need any support during the hiring process, just let us know.

Our values represent what matters most to us and guide how we work every day:

• We Shine Together
• We Do the Right Thing
• We Make It Count

We know diverse teams make us stronger. That’s why we’re creating an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs and differences are valued and celebrated.